Westborough parents film “Thrift Shop” figure skating parody

Westborough – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis” “Thrift Shop” hit YouTube at the end of August 2012, and has since racked up more than 436 million views. The single, which reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, has sold more than 2.2 million copies. On Oct. 10 the hip-hop artists scored the most American Music Awards nominations and will compete in the top category, artist of the year.

On Oct. 5, a parody of the hit single was unveiled at Shayna Smith's Bat Mitzvah, the brainstorm of Shayna's parents, Mike and Sue Smith.

“We cannot seem to recall the exact “a-ha” moment (that we chose “Thrift Shop”), though we sure have tried to. We know we were talking in the kitchen on May 30 and were discussing funny videos,” recalled Mike. “Sue first?suggested a “Skate Shop” idea, but then I figured we could?showcase?Shayna's skating?by including video clips and focusing more on her skating life?at the rink.”

Shayna, 13, began skating at North Star Figure Skating Club in Westborough when she was in first grade. Three years ago she started skating with music and competing and she is currently in her third year with the Blazing Blades Synchronized Skating Team at North Star.

Mike incorporated Shayna's skating “career” into the parody, writing the lyrics in about a week. He had to storyboard a script, as well, which was months in the making. Once the parody was written, Mike approached Doug Molleaux, owner of DJ company?Northern Lights Entertainment who thought the idea was great and offered to help.?In addition, musician Aart Knyff of the band Theory 13 provided his studio for Mike to record his rap.

Mike pitched the idea to Denise Marco, North Star Youth Forum executive director and director of figure skating, and Danielle David, assistant director of figure skating (also Shayna's coach),?who approved his request to use the rink for filming. Besides to the rink, the video was shot at the Smith's house, the Ice House store in Wellesley and the Northern Lights offices where the DJ and videographer are based.?Filming took place in three sessions over a five-month period.

Recruiting volunteers for the video, Mike said, was easy.

“We knew right away who the ideal cast members were (friends and family from Westborough, Northborough, Framingham, Southborough, Hopkinton and Upton).?We sent an email to the group telling them that we had a secret plan in mind for Shayna that would take place at a mystery time and place,” he said. “Everyone was so happy to help.”

In order to best replicate the costumes in the original “Thrift Shop” video, Mike found creative ways to acquire some pretty authentic new and secondhand swag.

“I got the raccoon coat?from eBay?and the?orange zoot suit from?an online store,” Mike said. “The dress was bought from a local store and “dressed up” so it would look just like the one from the video. We really wanted the distinctive orange suit from the original video and were excited to find it.”

After months of preparation, the surprise “Thrift Shop” music video was presented to Shayna at her Bat Mitzvah.

“When I saw the video my first thought was, “Who filmed this and how did they do it?”” Shayna said, adding it is “really awesome.”